Beef and buffalo meat market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the beef and buffalo meat market in Algeria expanded slightly to 209 thousand tons, supported by a 30% increase in domestic production since 2010 and steady imports of live animals for halal slaughter, particularly during Ramadan. The market remained reliant on imports to regulate prices, with France supplying 75% of dairy heifers.

A sharp contraction followed in 2020-2022, with the market volume dropping to 143 thousand tons by 2022. The suspension of French cattle exports in December 2020 due to COVID-19 disrupted supplies, while later restrictions on live cattle imports from France because of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease further constrained availability. Global market imbalances, including reduced EU production, exacerbated the shortage, and competition from poultry meat pressured beef consumption.

The market stabilized and slightly recovered to 148 thousand tons in 2023, as Algeria reopened its market to French cattle and diversified import sources to countries like Brazil, Ireland, and Ukraine. Government programs introduced regulated-price slaughter complexes to curb price hikes, and a national commission was established to boost domestic red meat production. In 2024, beef imports surged to over 77 thousand tons, driven by increased global supply from Brazil and Australia and continued efforts to manage prices.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Algeria's beef and buffalo meat production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 144.2 thousand tonnes, which is 4.8% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.3%, representing an average annual decrease of 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

Algeria's beef and buffalo meat exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 55 tonnes, marking a sharp year-on-year rise of 96.1%. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged by 23 758.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 520.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Congo dominated Algeria's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume, consistently representing 99.2% of the total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Algeria's beef and buffalo meat export values have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 0.2 million US dollars, up 70.8% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, export values increased by 4 804.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 266.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, the export market was highly concentrated, with Congo alone accounting for 96.2% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Algeria's beef and buffalo meat imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 33 614 tonnes, a decrease of 41.1% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 57 063 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 10.3% that year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 30.1%, with an average annual decline of 11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—India, Brazil, and Spain—together accounted for 99.1% of Algeria's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, Algeria's beef and buffalo meat import values dropped. In 2020, imports totaled 120.5 million US dollars, showing a sharp year-on-year decline of 40.4%. The peak value was in 2019 at 202.2 million US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 8.5% that year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 31.3%, with an average annual reduction of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017–2020 period, India (36.2% of import value), Brazil (31.8%), and Spain (30.9%) held the largest shares of Algeria's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, together making up 98.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020